10 Prisons in Idaho: Examining the State’s Facilities

Idaho, a state in the northwestern region of the United States, is known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. However, behind the stunning scenery lies a less glamorous reality: Idaho’s prison system.

With a growing inmate population and a shortage of resources, the state’s correctional facilities face numerous challenges in providing effective rehabilitation and reentry programs for those who have been incarcerated.

In this article, we will explore the state of Idaho’s prisons, including their history, current conditions, and ongoing efforts to improve the system.

Idaho Prison Map

Use the Idaho prison map below to locate any facility. Click on the map markers to read our detailed guide of that facility.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Idaho State Correctional Center	South of Boise	2,128	Minimum, Medium, and Close	Male	Idaho Department of Correction
Idaho Maximum Security Institution	Remote area	549	Maximum	Male	Idaho Department of Correction
Idaho State Correctional Institution	South of Boise	1,446	Medium	Male	Idaho Department of Correction
South Boise Women’s Correctional Center	Idaho	306	N/A	Female	Idaho Department of Correction
South Idaho Correctional Institution	Idaho	700	Minimum	Both	Idaho Department of Correction
North Idaho Correctional Institution	North of Cottonwood	426	N/A	Male	Idaho Department of Correction
Idaho Correctional Institution – Orofino	Orofino, Idaho	580	Medium and Protective	Male	Idaho Department of Correction
Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center	Pocatello, Idaho	331	All custody levels	Female	Idaho Department of Correction
St. Anthony Work Camp	St. Anthony, Idaho	400	Minimum and community-custody	Male	Idaho Department of Correction

Idaho State Correctional Center

Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) is a 2,128-bed men’s prison located south of Boise. The facility houses residents with varying levels of security needs, including minimum-security, medium-security, and close custody.

The prison provides a range of programming and services to help residents prepare for re-entry into society, including vocational training, education, and substance abuse treatment.

ISCC is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and residents and employs a highly trained team of correctional officers, healthcare providers, and support staff to ensure the well-being of all individuals within its walls.

As with all correctional facilities, ISCC is a serious and highly regulated institution, and visitors should adhere to all rules and regulations to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.

Idaho Maximum Security Institution

The Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) was established in November 1989 to house the state’s most disruptive male residents. The facility has a capacity of 549 residents and is secured by a double perimeter fence reinforced with razor wire and an electronic detection system.

IMSI primarily houses close custody and administrative segregation residents. The facility also operates the state Secure Mental Health Facility, which houses residents under the sentence of death, and residents who are part of the Idaho Security Medical Program (ISMP).

The institution is located in a remote area of Idaho and provides a secure environment for its residents. IMSI is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for its residents while also ensuring that they receive the necessary treatment and services to help them reintegrate back into society.

Idaho State Correctional Institution

Idaho State Correctional Institution (ISCI) is a medium-security prison located south of Boise. With a capacity of 1,446 beds, ISCI is one of the largest prisons in Idaho. The prison’s reception and diagnostic unit (RDU) is responsible for processing all men entering Idaho’s prison system.

Additionally, ISCI has a medical unit that provides necessary healthcare to inmates, and a workspace for Correctional Industries’ programs which offer work opportunities for inmates.

The facility provides a range of programs and services to help inmates prepare for reentry into society. Overall, ISCI plays an important role in Idaho’s criminal justice system by providing safe and secure custody for men who have been convicted of crimes.

South Boise Women’s Correctional Center

The South Boise Women’s Correctional Center in Idaho is a treatment and transition facility for retained jurisdiction female residents. With an operating capacity of 306 residents, the center houses its residents in two separate housing units.

The programming opportunities provided are focused on cognitive and behavioral change through intensive treatment, education, and accountability. The center’s primary aim is to aid in transitioning its residents back into society.

The facility is committed to providing its residents with the necessary tools and resources to help them succeed and become productive members of society. The South Boise Women’s Correctional Center is an essential part of Idaho’s correctional system, providing a safe and secure environment for its residents while offering them a chance to turn their lives around.

South Idaho Correctional Institution

South Idaho Correctional Institution (SICI) is a correctional facility located in Idaho that houses 400 female residents and 300 male residents. The majority of residents are assigned a job and work both inside and outside the facility.

The Vocational Work Projects include road crews for the Idaho Transportation Department, conservation and fire fighting crews for the U.S. Forest Service, and Correctional Industries program workers.

Additionally, SICI operates the pre-release program for the majority of residents who will be paroling from the system. The facility is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and residents, while also offering opportunities for vocational training and rehabilitation.

North Idaho Correctional Institution

North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) is located in the former military radar station north of Cottonwood, Idaho. It is a program-specific prison that can accommodate up to 426 male residents.

NICI primarily houses residents who have been sentenced under a retained jurisdiction sentence. This type of sentence allows courts to focus on individuals who may be suitable for probation after completing programming and evaluation.

The institution provides various programs and services to help residents prepare for successful reentry into the community. These programs include education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. NICI is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for residents and staff.

Idaho Correctional Institution – Orofino

Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino, located in Orofino, Idaho, was originally established as a state school and mental health facility. In 1988, a new wing was added to the facility, which is now designed to house up to 580 male residents.

ICIO primarily houses medium-custody residents but also offers accommodations for protective-custody residents. Additionally, Givens Hall, an adjacent unit, serves as a work camp. The facility provides vocational work programs, education, and other programming opportunities to its residents.

Pocatello Women’s Correctional Cent

Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center (PWCC) is a correctional facility located in Idaho that was established in April 1994. It was built to meet the unique program needs of female residents and is the department’s first facility designed specifically for this purpose.

The facility has an operating capacity of 331 female residents and can house all custody levels. PWCC is responsible for the reception and diagnostic center for women.

The facility provides vocational work projects, Correctional Industries, education, programming, pre-release program, and work-release program. Overall, PWCC is an essential correctional facility that serves the unique needs of female residents in Idaho.

St. Anthony Work Camp

St. Anthony Work Camp (SAWC) is a minimum- and community-custody men’s facility located in Idaho. The camp has a capacity of 400 beds and provides residents with full-time employment opportunities with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private employers.

The program helps residents develop good work habits and marketable skills while providing a financial resource to meet their immediate and future needs.

SAWC’s focus on constructive, paid employment aims to reduce recidivism rates by providing residents with the tools they need to successfully reintegrate into society. Overall, St. Anthony Work Camp is a valuable resource for men looking to improve their work skills and build a better future for themselves.

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